Why didn’t you tell us that initially? Telum asks. She looks flustered. I didn’t know if it had any merit. Even now, I don’t. Since these are rumors and stories I’ve heard over the years from other doctors, other people and some unreliable sources… Bala steps in. Telum, think about it a bit. The only reason we’re even involved this time, is because it was one of our own. If it were one from a different station or city, we wouldn’t be left to investigate or see the crime scene. I interject quickly and interrupt Bala. Who knows how much they haven’t told you guys. Ken slams his crab hand into the table. Damn it! Then why Scorpian? Bala interjects. Calm, Ken. Please. I start pacing around the room. And who did this? Bala tells me to stay put. You are just making everyone more anxious. Please, Kei. We all sigh, collectively. But still, how did a billion die? Why didn’t it affect us all? I look at the mortician. Don’t look at me. I don’t know. These are just the rumors I heard. I don’t have anymore expertise… Beyond that it’s pure magic to me and I don’t understand it. Telum goes and shakes the morticians hand. Thank you. I don’t know how we’ll repay you, but if you ever need anything, this is my number… Come, let’s leave.

As we leave the building, Bala stops Telum. What are you going to do next? Where are we going? He scoffs. We are not going anywhere. Ken and I are. Telum tries to side-step Bala, but he gets in his way once more. No. You two are not going anywhere. Telum leans down in Bala’s face. Listen here. Do me a favor and move aside. You and I both know that whatever is happening here is not okay, natural or in any case good. Bala smiles. No. We both know that whatever you want to do right now is dangerous, stupid and will not help anyone. Now, how about we get some beers, some stimulants of your choice and head to Kei’s apartment? Telum smiles now too. Fine. So be it. We’re going to your place, Kei. Shocked, I look at him with disbelief. Why? No. I don’t want to. What do you want there? No way. No. Telum starts laughing. That’s the spirit, Telum says as he turns towards Ken. We’re gonna get to the bottom of this, trust me. Whatever is happening is against nature and I won’t stand for it. But, Bala is right. We need to cool down a bit and think this through… He turns towards me. Put this on.

As I open the door, I can already hear their remarks. Come in. I guess… They make their way in. You live like this? Asks Telum. Wow, exclaims Bala as Ken goes to take a seat on the couch. So many books, Bala says as he looks around the living room. Why do you have so many books? And why are they all on the ground? I nervously smile. Because… Now take a seat. He laughs. Come on, tell us… You have the walls, almost empty. Even the two shelves there on the wall, barely have books on them. Yet the floor is full of them. I smile. Because it’s easier to track what I’ve read and piece things together like a puzzle. If you look down, they have a significance, they are all going from one theme to another. And for the reason why I have so many is simple. We’ve been writing books for hundreds of thousands of years. There’s a lot of knowledge to be read and absorbed. I don’t want to miss anything they might’ve discovered but buried in a book. Now then… What is this? I ask as I place the coil on the table between booze and drugs…

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